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I’m hoping that I can just find accommodation each night without booking ahead…is that a reasonable assumption?
Agreed! A lot of the spreadsheets have not been updated in a few years (actually - haven't found ANY current ones). Gronze was pretty accurate last summer, moreso than the apps. And I think all of the apps have been working to get updated since then - so I expect them to be more accurate this summer when I return.
There was a time that was so. Less so now. Booking St Jean through to Pamplona is recommended. Thereafter you'll have to go by feel, your knowledge of your daily mileages and the number of pilgrims you are coincident with.
There are some that permanently closed. There are some that were planning to re-open this year. Gronze was pretty good with updating as I walked last summer. Also - the website is in Spanish - but you can use your web browser to translate. But be aware - the translation may also change the names of some albergues so you may need to switch back and forth from Spanish (of you don't read Spanish) to get the information you need but then to verify the name of the albergue.
Depends. Booking SJPDP to Pamplona is usually recommended during busy seasons. After that - you can probably wing it. Or - if you find that there IS a bed race - you can reserve the night before or same day if you are concerned you won't get a bed somewhere.
Why is it less so now? Even in May?
Did you manage ok without booking anything in advance…thats my only concern really. I’m assuming in May I should be ok as the busiest period won’t have started yet
Because Covid has kicked the Parochial, volunteer run, Albergues in the particulars. Some are still closed, some may stay that way. Some of the private Albergues ran out of money to pay the mortgage while we all ducked for cover and will not open again. There are political (which we don't discuss on this forum) and practical drivers for that scenario. That said the picture is changing every day. As I said previously I think you will have a good chance of finding a bed in the sorts of places that aren't on booking.con, don't take telephone reservations and don't do private rooms. And I'm sure that you are able to make your own assessment of the actual situation on the ground when you are there. I'm not making a prediction I'm describing my own assessment.
I see you have a million questions and that is so normal for a first camino. You are getting some good advice so let me kind of break it down for you.
Aah, I wish I'd thought to say that. It is the best piece of advice I've seen on this forum.
I see from another thread that you are planning to start in SJPP around May 1. Here is another thread discussing the numbers starting in SJPP, by week through the year. The first week of May is likely to be the second busiest week of the year (September has a busier week).
Log into the forum and check under the resource tab. The link is on that page. Buen Camino!
Yes, it is there - last updated in 2017.
Thanks for the heads up…I naively thought early in the season would be quieter than mid summer. I arrive in Barcelona on 26th April so could get to SJPP to start on perhaps 30th April if that might help me miss the crowds?
Don't worry or concern yourself with the crowds. It is an uncontrollable and you never know from one year to the next or even one week or one day to the next what will be. Just walk and it will all unfold for you. One small thing you can do is not follow the "stages" that are almost all uniformly the same in most of the guidebooks. In that way you can at times avoid the loggam that is created when the camino is crowded and many people are sleeping in "stage" towns and villages.
And many other people have the same thought, along with not wanting to walk during the heat of summer months, hence the large amounts of pilgrims who start in May and September!
Sorry - missed this! Yes - for the most part I had no problem finding beds without booking in advance. When I heard certain towns had a bed race - I simply called or emailed them the night before or in the am for a bed (or went on booking.com). It really wasn't a problem I always had a bed. Only once did I have a problem - and even then it worked out!
